Winery allowed on vineyard

A vineyard in the Osoyoos area has been given approval from the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to build a cosmic-looking winery on its property.

Osoyoos Larose Estate plans to build a winery about four hectares in size on its hillside property between Highways 97 and 3, located at 17808 103rd Street.

Renders of the winery show a unique, space-like structure high on the hill.

Most of the 44-hectare property is zoned for agricultural use, but the proposed area for the winery was not. RDOS board members voted unanimously on Thursday to rezone the four hectares as needed for the winery’s construction.

Staff noted the rezoning process could’ve been avoided if the winery were proposed elsewhere on the property, but added “this particular location avoids the need to alienate productive agricultural lands situated within the ALR.”

The winery will also be on the property’s furthest point from the Osoyoos landfill, which it borders to the south.

Final approval for the winery is still needed from the Ministry of Transportation before the RDOS adopts the zoning changes.